The Real Deal Miami

Portman, RLB Swerdling/Oxford bid for MB Convention Center Hotel

Rendering of the Miami Beach Convention Center and a map of the project

Two bidders, Portman Holdings and RLB Swerdling/Oxford Capital submitted proposals for the Miami Beach Convention Center Headquarter Hotel by the deadline on Friday, The Real Deal has learned.

It is a repeat performance for Portman, which was a previous bidder for the then-$1.1-billion project that originally included the convention center and initially began to seek proposals in 2012.

Portman’s previous bid, in 2013, had included Ugo Colombo’s CMC Group and the Whitman Family Development. Portman is no longer tied to those developers in its current bid, a spokesperson told TRD.

“Miami Beach is an international destination for business and leisure travel. Portman has submitted a bid for the convention headquarter hotel that is fitting for the city’s global stature, will complement the new convention center, and respects the local community,” Jack Portman, vice chairman of Portman Holdings, said in a statement. “We hope to have the opportunity to work with the city to bring this exciting project to fruition.”

RLB Swerdling, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a real estate financial consulting firm that specializes in the hospitality industry. Its bid is in conjunction with Oxford Capital, Bob Swerdling, principal of RLB Swerding confirmed to TRD.

“We’re excited to be part of the process,” he said.

A selection committee will review the proposals and hear presentations on May 7.